This website uses cookies to ensure the best user experience. View more.

Call Today
Patio Enclosures by Great Day Improvements
Menu
Great Day Improvements Stanek Windows by Great Day Improvements Patio Enclosures by Great Day Improvements
Reps available: Mon-Thurs 8:00am-9:30pm
Fri 8:00am-8:00pm  |  Sat-Sun 8:30am-5:30pm EST
800-230-8301
 
Find Your Location
Find Your Location

Enjoy a Staycation with a Sunroom or Covered Patio

A three-season sunroom with metal roof and deck built on the side of a hill overlooking a lake with woods around it.The main challenge with a staycation is making

Life today moves at a rapid pace. Juggling extracurricular activities, community commitments, household chores, and more can make it feel like there’s never enough time. We often find ourselves wishing for a chance to slow down, breathe, and truly connect with our families. Taking a staycation offers the perfect opportunity to pause and enjoy quality family time without the pressures of a packed schedule.

What is a Staycation?

A staycation means taking time off to relax and enjoy time at and around your home. Not sure it feels like a real vacation?

It really comes down to your mindset. A staycation is a chance to focus on time with family or yourself, and to appreciate your home and local area. With busy schedules, there are probably things you’ve wanted to do but haven’t had the chance. This isn’t about chores. Maybe you want to start a new hobby, go to that museum you haven’t been to in years, or need a day catching up on your favorite shows. Staycations let you do all of this and more. It’s about taking a break and making the most of your time.

The interior of a screened-in porch with two rockers and table overlooking a lake with open lawn and a gazebo on the dock.

Benefits of a Staycation

There are plenty of reasons to love a staycation.

  1. Staycations are budget-friendly. Travel costs like gas, flights, hotels, and eating out can add up quickly. With a staycation, you can relax and recharge without spending a lot.
  2. You’re in charge of your schedule. A staycation can be as short as a weekend or as long as two weeks or more. You decide what to do and when. There’s no need to worry about flights or hotel checkouts.
  3. You skip the stress of travel. Traveling with the whole family can be a hassle. When you stay home, you avoid all the planning, and your break starts right away.
  4. You can invest in your home. A staycation can help you see what you love about your home and what could be improved. Many families use this time to think about changes that make relaxing at home even better all year long. Have you been thinking about new paint, an updated patio, or adding a sunroom onto your home? Now is the perfect time to brainstorm new ideas.

How to Have a Staycation That Actually Feels Like a Vacation

Three images: a laptop with an X, cleaning supplies with an X, and a mother and child playing a board game with a checkmark.

The main challenge with a staycation is making sure it doesn’t just feel like any other day at home. Discover some tips on how to keep it special below.

Set Clear Boundaries Around Work

If you work from home, it’s important to set boundaries before your time off begins. What can you do to help make your break more enjoyable? First, turn off email notifications, silence work-related calls, and physically close the door to your home office. If possible, store your laptop out of sight. The less visible your work environment is, the easier it is to disconnect mentally.

Handle Chores Before You Begin

During your staycation, you'll notice everything that needs doing around the house. The dishes. The laundry. The corner of the garage you've been meaning to tackle. Handle as much as you can before your break starts, and give yourself permission to leave the rest until after.

Plan Your Days in Advance

You don't need a minute-by-minute schedule, but having a loose plan for each day helps prevent boredom. Think about one or two anchor activities per day, a morning outing, an afternoon project, or plan a special dinner. The rest of the time, you can relax and enjoy your time off.

The interior of a sunroom at night furnished with a pool table, table and chairs and a comfortable seating area.

10 Family Staycation Ideas

The best staycation activities are those that break up your usual routine. Here are 10 ideas that are especially fun if you have a sunroom, screened porch, or covered patio.

  1. Host a family game night: Break out those board games or that deck of cards and enjoy a family game night. Don’t have any board games? Try charades!
  2. Set up an outdoor movie night: Switch things up by watching your favorite flick in your sunroom, screened-in porch, or on your patio. You can use a laptop to stream your movie, or you can even get an inexpensive projector and project it on a sheet. Don’t forget the popcorn!
  3. Cook a restaurant-style dinner: Try out that recipe you’ve been wanting to make. Pick up some special ingredients and enjoy a fancy meal. In a sunroom or screened porch, you can eat outside without worrying about bugs or pests.
  4. Take a long afternoon nap: Your staycation doesn’t have to be packed with activities. Take a nap to relax and recharge. A sunroom is a great spot for this, with fresh air and no bugs.
  5. Order from a local restaurant: Take a break from cooking and go to or order takeout from a local restaurant you’ve been wanting to try.
  6. Read a book, start to finish: Set the vacation scene and read a good book from your list you’ve been meaning to get to.
  7. Have a picnic indoors: Spread a blanket on the floor or table in your sunroom and have a picnic with a view, minus the debris and critters.
  8. Try a new craft or hobby: Use your staycation to start a new project. A sunroom or porch is a great place to get creative, with lots of fresh air and natural light.
  9. Do yoga or meditate: A sunroom or screened porch is a peaceful place for yoga or meditation. Whether you’re alone or with someone, it’s a great way to start your staycation day.
  10. Create a home spa experience: Put on a robe, turn on some spa music, apply a face mask, and unwind to the sounds of nature on your enclosed porch.

A Patio Enclosures Addition is the Perfect Destination for a Family Staycation

A man and a woman enjoing a three-season sunroom with soaring ceiling on a one-story brick home.

Your home is one of the largest investments you'll make. Protecting and changing it with smart improvements or additions means you're not just preparing for your next staycation; you're creating a space you actually want to be in, every single day. Make every day feel like a staycation with a Patio Enclosures sunroom, screened-in porch, or covered patio.

Besides the practical benefits, having a dedicated space to relax that is separate from the kitchen, office, or laundry can really improve your quality of life. Families often use these spaces more than they expect.

A group of young children playing with toys on a coffee table in a sunroom with sofa and ottoman.

A sunroom gives your family a peaceful spot for morning coffee, reading, weekend yoga, or family movie nights. It’s a space you can enjoy all year, not just during a staycation.

Have questions? Reach out to us for more information or to schedule a risk-free in-home estimate. Our Patio Enclosures design consultants will look at your space and work with you to create a plan for your ideal sunroom addition.

We also offer flexible financing options and affordable monthly payments to help make your dream space a reality.

Need more inspiration? Visit our photo gallery to see ideas for turning your backyard into a relaxing retreat.

Learn More About Enclosed Patio, Decks & Porches ​
 

Light Bulb You May Also Be Interested In:

Original Publish Date: January 31, 2022